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Funding hopes to restore Brighton beauty spot to former glory

The gardens have been blighted by graffiti and litter Credit: ITV Meridian

Moves are underway to secure three million pounds to improve Brighton's Pavilion Gardens.

Historic England has put the site on its at risk register because of graffiti, litter and anti-social behaviour at night.

A previous bid to secure heritage lottery funding failed but now the council aims to put in a new application.

Tom Savvides reports.

Tom spoke to Labour councillor Alan Robbins.

Visitors in the park today Credit: ITV Meridian

The Grade Two listed Royal Pavilion Garden was added to the Historic England at Risk Register last year following concerns about high levels of visitor use, erosion of character and a general deterioration.

Historic England called for a Conservation Plan to be developed to address issues as a matter of urgency.

A plan was drawn up, a consultation launched, attracting more than 1,300 responses, and a bid submitted for £194,000 to develop the plans ready for a funding bid for £3.3 million.

However, the bid was unsuccessful.

The Heritage Lottery Fund encouraged the council to re-submit, highlighting work that should be undertaken in the meantime. This includes:

Carrying out an access audit

Developing designs of what a new boundary and improved entrances might look like

Providing evidence of how multi agency working will tackle anti-social behaviour

Providing more details of an activity programme, interpretation strategy and volunteer roles and skills.

The estimated cost of this work is £25,000 which would be met from the Royal Pavilion and Museums core budgets.